Dual shop fronts shared database

polythene · December 22, 2005

I am struggling to choose an approach for the following requirement. As always, the less you know the more difficult it is to see which way to jump. I have been looking at contributions such as Multi Stores, but am finding it difficult to see if that is the right way to go.

I need a webshop that operates with two shop fronts, say Company XXX and Company YYY.

Products must be in one database with descriptions, pricing, etc., common to both shops.

Some products are Company XXX products; other products are Company YYY products; some ?belong? to both companies.

Additionally, anyone shopping at Company XXX should be able to click on a button and see all products of both companies. And similarly for Company YYY. (I have a feeling that this is just the current position. It seems likely to me that some products will remain exclusive to one or other of the companies so I must be careful of boxing myself into a corner.)

(The same applies to categories. Some will belong to one company, some to the other and some will be common to both.)

In fact, the only differences between the shops are:

? Looks. This might be confined to things like logos but could be more pervasive.

? Initial products displayed. Each will show only its own products plus those that are common to both companies. A user can request to see all products.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks